Tuesday, June 30, 2015

The thought of a riverside deck in Northern Michigan brings pleasant, peaceful imagery to most dedicated river stewards. However, the ACA Paddle America Club Traverse Area Paddle Club did not share those sentiments when they encountered the “Monster Deck”, a large wooden platform that was washed away during a flood and deposited far downstream on the Upper Platte River near Honor, MI.

“[The winch] worked great and was the pivotal tool we needed to complete the task” said Norm Fred, Traverse Area Paddle Club member and one of the 6 man team who removed the deck.

Thanks to the efforts of this crew, the cumbersome piece of debris was successfully removed from the Upper Platte. Additionally, all of the wood collected during the removal was either repurposed or recycled.

Do you have a stewardship story to share? Email Zane Havens, ACA Stewardship Coordinator: zhavens@americancanoe.org, and tell him about what you're doing to clean up your local waterways.

Monday, June 29, 2015

If you’ve ever worn a life jacket and thought how its design or styling could be better, now is your chance to be heard. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association are asking boaters to vote now for their favorite new life jacket design entry in the 2015 “Innovation in Life Jacket Design Competition” at Facebook.com/BoatUSFoundation or BoatUS.org/design/vote. The public has until July 8 to submit their vote and is encouraged to vote once a day for their favorite design.

The goal of the competition is to rethink a 100-year-old design, seek out the newest technologies and design innovations and develop interest in newer, more versatile life jackets. Design entries are judged on the following criteria: innovation, wearability, value/affordability, reliability, versatility and practicality.

Of the nearly 250 contest submissions from as far away as Mongolia and New Zealand, 14 were selected for public voting. “The judges want to know what the boating public is looking for in a new life jacket design or style, and your vote will also factor into the final overall score,” said BoatUS Foundation Outreach Manager Alanna Keating.

At stake is a $10,000 first prize, $3,000 for second and $2,000 for third. Winners will be announced at the International Boatbuilders Exhibition trade show in Louisville, KY in September.

Friday, June 26, 2015

This week marks the 100 day countdown until the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) expires and we lose one of the most powerful conservation tools in our arsenal. Although LWCF has protected public lands in 50 states, few Americans are familiar with it. LWCF ensures that a portion of the revenue from offshore oil and gas drilling on public land goes back to conservation efforts. It is a simple idea that ensures balance between development and conservation. LWCF has been used since 1965 to create new parks in urban environments, complete national parks, and protect recreation across the country.

How does LWCF work? It provides funding to acquire land from willing sellers and make it part of local, state, or national public lands. Over the life of the program, LWCF has funded critical protections for river corridors in places like West Virginia’s Gauley and New Rivers and helped establish public river access points for canoers, kayakers, and rafters in places like Washington’s White Salmon River. LWCF has made possible thousands of miles of singletrack for mountain bikers and hikers, including at areas like the world-class trail system at Lory State Park near Fort Collins, Colorado, and Toro Park, California, home to challenging trails and spectacular views of Monterey Bay. LWCF has funded close-to-home recreation opportunities in all fifty states and every congressional district.

LWCF will expire in less than 100 days. Unless Congress acts soon to renew LWCF, we all lose this important tool for protecting America’s public lands.

Read our letter of support with Outdoor Alliance, and take action to tell Congress to reauthorize LWCF to improve outdoor recreation nationwide.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

By Whitney Smith, guide at Door County Kayak Tours. Whitney recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.

Quiet recreational activities such as kayaking provide an excellent, alternative and sustainable way to enjoy the outdoors. Because the kayak does not leave a wake in its trail, this kind of recreation has a relatively low direct environmental impact. Kayaking gives us a great opportunity to enjoy significant, but sensitive, wetlands.

Wetlands serve as imperative habitat for the biosphere. Not only do they function as migratory grounds for a diverse spectrum of birds and marine life, wetlands also increase the water quality for various freshwater systems, clean the air, and combat climate change. In addition to being an essential component to the natural environment, wetlands are also important to developed areas, especially those surrounded by rivers and streams, because they pose as flood mitigation.

Due to various factors such as development, habitat fragmentation and urban sprawl, Wisconsin has lost an estimated 47% of its wetlands, with some areas as high as 75%, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. One way to combat wetlands loss is by increasing the awareness of the significance of wetlands and wetlands restoration.

Being exposed to the wetlands means being able to appreciate them that much more. Door County’s wetlands, considered globally significant by the international treaty under the Ramsar Convention of 2015, are pristine coastal environments. Logan Creek, managed by The Ridges Sanctuary, is home to a 5.4 mile creek jutting through Northern Wet-Mesic Forest and into Clark Lake. This area is a fantastic example of some of the unique geological formations in Door County, Wisconsin. Logan Creek is part of the Clark Lake watershed system, including twelve sensitive, Designated Critical Habitat areas along the shores of Logan Creek, Lost Lake and Clark Lake.

Door County Kayak Tours is proud to provide families and individuals the opportunity to experience Door County’s wetland environments, especially including Logan Creek State Natural Area. The wetlands tour involves a lake experience, contrasted by a creek experience. While Whitefish Dunes State Park can be seen from Clark Lake, the real experience is being surrounded by pristine wetland forest.

Getting people exposed to these unique environments is one step toward preserving the paramount habitat.

Monday, June 22, 2015

The 2015 ACA Swiftwater Rescue Conference will focus on a series of on-water safety and rescue educational sessions taught by the best of the best in swiftwater rescue instruction. Guess who is already confirmed to present at the conference this fall? Get a sneak peak...Registration will be available online soon, and space is limited. Please keep an eye on www.americancanoe.org/SWR_Conference for more information.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

For this week’s Stewardship Saturday, we will take a look at waterway cleanup veterans Illinois Paddling Council and their joint program with Openlands, Illinois Water Trailkeepers.

The Illinois Paddling Council, an ACA Paddle America Club dedicated to advocating for and promoting paddling in the state of Illinois, have won several awards for their stewardship work, including the 2013 ACA Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation award. The offshoot program, Illinois Water Trailkeepers, focuses on maintaining and improving water trails across the state of Illinois.

This year, using L.L.Bean Club Fostered Stewardship grant funds, Illinois Water Trailkeepers will undertake a project that includes both waterway cleanups and watertrail improvement. On the cleanup side, Illinois Water Trailkeepers will host four community based cleanups, inviting the paddling community to join them as they maintain their waterways. On the water trail improvement side, the Illinois Water Trailkeepers will install signage for the first of four different “loops” of the Banner Marsh Water Trail, near Peoria, IL.

Through funds provided by L.L. Bean, the ACA's Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) Program has provided nearly $130,000 to over 135 different stewardship initiatives since its inception thirteen years ago.

Inspired to start your own local stewardship project? Apply for the CFS grant next year! Get more information here. Or just order yourself a Paddle Green Bag and take it with you the next time you hit the water.

Stewardship Saturday is an ongoing theme of the ACA Water Blog where we we shine a spotlight on organizations and individuals who are working hard to make the world a better place to paddle. Want to be featured? Email ACA Communications Coordinator Catharine Lloyd at clloyd@americancanoe.org to tell her about the stewardship work you are doing in your local community.

Friday, June 19, 2015

As our planet faces increasing environmental issues due to development and misuse of natural resources, the ACA is committed more than ever to making the world a better place to paddle. June is National Rivers Month, and we are asking for your support to create healthy paddling environments and a cleaner planet for everyone by addressing one of the greatest threats to our waters: marine debris.

Of the estimated 6.14 million tons of debris that enter marine environments each year, 80% of it is land based trash that enters from freshwater rivers and streams. Who better to help prevent the accumulation of marine debris than paddlers?

The ACA's Stream to Sea Initiativeequips individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to clean navigable waterways and paddling environments while recreating. Utilizing the paddling community, one that already has a vested interest in the health of the nation’s waters, is an effective way to help remediate the growing amounts of debris that affect marine environments. Employing paddlers, a virtually untapped resource, in freshwater streams and rivers provides a sustainable network of stewards dedicated to reducing debris accumulation before it reaches coastal environments.

This is a three-pronged effort to educate, motivate, and model proactive on-water stewardship practices to curb marine debris through the following programs:

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Our new Paddle Ready app lets you easily search for ACA instructors in your area. Whether you want to give stand up paddleboarding a try, learn how to roll your kayak, or learn some swiftwater rescue techniques, Paddle Ready will set you up with an ACA instructor who can help you reach your goals.

The app also lets you create float plans and send them to friends, get river levels and weather forecasting, access a library of paddling videos, and more. Surf + tide forecasting will be added as a new feature this summer, so stay tuned for this and other updates!Download Paddle Ready for FREE on your iPhone or Android.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

The annual Manhattan Circumnavigation is open to all who qualify, club membership is not required, and out-of-towners are welcome! Kayakers can socialize, exercise, take pictures and explore during this 30 mile excursion.

Careful planning means that the current helps rather than opposes the paddlers. Safety of a large group is enhanced via general marine radio use, a safety boat escort, and Coast Guard notification.

Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club joins with other New York area paddling clubs to carry on this annual tradition. YPRC will be the lead sponsor and Sebago Canoe Club (SCC), Inwood Canoe Club (ICC) and the New York City Water Trail Association (NYCWTA) will co-sponsor. The ACA will provide liability insurance.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Every year, the ACA recognizes several individuals and organizations who exemplify outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to paddlesports. Nominations for the 2015 National Awards are now open!

Legends of Paddling

Excellence in Instruction

Sanctioned Event of the Year

Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation

Joe Pina Volunteer of the Year

Stroke of Achievement

J. Henry Rushton

If you would like to nominate a paddler for one of the honors above, please visit www.americancanoe.org/awards for more details on how to submit your nomination. The submission deadline is Monday, July 31, 2015.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Today, we're pleased to highlight the great work of Friends of Waterbury Reservoir ("FWRes").

FWRes is a Vermont non-profit organization committed to protecting, improving and enhancing the ecological, recreational, and community values of the Waterbury Reservoir. They accomplishes this through stewardship, research, community involvement, collaboration with all stakeholders, and connecting people and place.

FWRes is one of the ACA's 2015 Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) Grant recipients. The Vermont non-profit is using its CFS grant funding to conduct a project called the Waterbury Reservoir Trash Data Study. Volunteers and State Park staff are participating in trash collection and data reporting from May-October 2015. This is an ongoing, collaborative effort that provides valuable data to the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to improve the Waterbury Reservoir.

The data from this trash study will help answer the following questions:

What is the actual quantity of trash found around the lake? Is the problem more or less serious than we think?

Is the Reservoir's water quality being effected? Is wildlife impacted?

Where is that trash most often found? How and when did it get there?

Is the trash debris being re-distributed throughout the lake due to normal water currents or high storm and wind events?

Are there other factors that influence the arrival, distribution, and re-distribution of trash around the Reservoir?

Through funds provided by L.L. Bean, the ACA's Club Fostered Stewardship (CFS) Program has provided nearly $130,000 to over 135 different stewardship initiatives since its inception thirteen years ago.

Inspired to start your own local stewardship project? Apply for the CFS grant next year! Get more information here. Or just order yourself a Paddle Green Bag and take it with you the next time you hit the water! Stewardship Saturday is an ongoing theme of the ACA Water Blog where we we shine a spotlight on organizations and individuals who are working hard to make the world a better place to paddle. Want to be featured? Email ACA Communications Coordinator Catharine Lloyd at clloyd@americancanoe.org and tell her about the stewardship work you are doing in your local community.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Did you know? All ACA members get a FREE subscription to one of Rapid Media's 4 magazines. Plus, additional Rapid subscriptions are just $10! Click here to learn more, and contact our Membership Department to make sure you are getting the most out of your ACA membership today.

"This is such a win for everyone with so many options. ACA members choose the magazine they want and they can also choose how they have it delivered - mail, online or to their iPad/iPhone. Members may also add additional magazines at a special ACA member rate. We've always been the innovative media company who truly cares about paddling. Everything we do here is about growing and supporting paddlesports..." -Scott MacGregor, Rapid Media Founder & Publisher

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Written by Michelle and Jayson Huston, two ACA members who are dedicated to cleaning up their local waterways near their home in West Virginia.

Once high water had receded and before spring vegetation grew in, my husband and I hit up an area of the Potomac River that we've noticed tends to collect and holds a LOT of trash and debris on its shores.

It took us about 4.5 hours, which included two trips back and forth between the slackwater bend where most of the trash accumulates and the ramp to fill the truck. The sad part is that there was still more, and likely will be more following subsequent high water events.

However, we'll keep picking at this area (and others) as we typically keep our ACA paddle green bags on board any time we're afloat and spend some time collecting what we can carry and moving large items (like the 55-gal drums) up above flood lines to collect later.

How do you #PaddleGreen? Send your stewardship stories to Catharine Lloyd at clloyd@americancanoe.org, and get involved in the ACA's Stream to Sea Initiative today.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

By Maria Schultz, ACA SUP Instructor and author of How to SUP With Your PUP. Maria offers SUP classes in Fredericksburg, VA for humans and their fur babies. To sign up for a class, or if you have questions for Maria, please connect with her on Facebook.

I've heard it so many times, "Dogs don't need life jackets... All dogs can swim!" I'm here to tell you, this is simply not true. While most dogs are good swimmers, some aren't as comfortable in the water as others. Certain breeds, like huskies for instance, prefer to stay as far away from water as possible. As an ACA SUP instructor and dog lover, I recommend that all dogs wear personal flotation devices, or PFDs, on the water. Let me try and convince you why!

Dogs that love the water may exhaust themselves before they realize they are too tired to swim back to you. If you have a lab, you probably already know this. Some dogs just don't know when to stop! A doggie PFD will help a tired pup get back to shore.

If you get separated from your dog while on the water, a brightly colored PFD will help you and other boaters spot him. On a windy day, or on a river with current, you'd be surprised at hwo fast you can get separated from your dog and your boat. The PFD will give you some extra peace of mind, and the ability to see your dog from a farther distance.

If your dog falls overboard, getting him back on board by using the handle on the life jacket makes lifting him a whole lot easier. Whether it's a paddleboard, a kayak, or a canoe, the handle on your dog's life jacket is the easiest and safest way to get your dog back on board.

Paddlesports are a great way to bond with your dog. Be safe out there with your pups, and we'll see you on the water!

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

The Mountains to Sound Greenway, which spans the state of Washington, includes spectacular resources for the human powered recreation community.

The ACA and other members of the Outdoor Alliance strongly support the designation of this greenway as a National Heritage Area, and we commend Senator Maria Cantwell and Congressman Dave Reichert for their efforts to pass National Heritage Area legislation for the Mountains to Sound Greenway.

To learn more about this important legislation, and why we support it, click here.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Guest blog post by Colleen Ryan, an active member of the Norton Waterbodies Committee, a group of volunteers trying to find a solution to the invasive plant problem in Norton, Massachusetts.

Hello American Paddlers. It’s nice to have an opportunity to chat with you about a serious issue affecting paddlers across the United States. Aquatic invasive plants are choking the life out of lakes and ponds where many of us paddle, fish, and wildlife sightsee. I paddle in a small town in Massachusetts called Norton and our lakes and ponds have been inundated with invasive plant life for a number of years. Sadly, because of challenging budget issues affecting most cities and towns, saving the lakes and ponds has not been a priority. There is good news though. Our Norton officials, with the help of volunteers and paddlers, are working together to change this course.

Norton is located in Southeastern, MA. We have three small ponds and one large lake called the Norton Reservoir. The three major invasive plants that are destroying our water bodies are eurasian and variable milfoil, fanwort, and water chestnut. These invasive plants grow quite rapidly with the help of fertilizers and other nutrients in the water. They suffocate the native plants. They impede paddlers from being able to paddle, fish, and sightsee. Our Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has been a great resource for us to identify the plants and learn different ways to address the problems they cause.

In 2013 the Norton Board of Selectman organized a Water Bodies Committee to address the challenges. The Committee is comprised of volunteers who are invested in saving the water bodies. Without this effort the lake and ponds would become murky swamps. The Committee did research and public education to understand the issues and inform the residents. At the October 2013 town meeting, residents allocated $50,000 to develop a plan to clean up the water bodies. In October 2014, residents allocated $800,000 to start the permitting process and a three year treatment process. The permitting process should be completed by June 2015. The treatment process for milfoil and fanwort is done chemically and the treatment process for water chestnut is hand harvesting. We must make a long term commitment for success.

The public education process has been very successful for us. We have identified ways that all residents and paddlers can make their contribution.

Here are some ways we can all work together to help:

Clean our boats before and after use, preferably with hot water and letting it dry, and definitely before we paddle in different lakes and ponds. Preventing the spread of invasive plants is a necessity for success.

Do not to litter. We promote a carry in - carry out program. We are very fortunate that the Norton Kayaking Company sponsors a Norton Reservoir clean up at least once a year. This is a great opportunity for high school and college students to learn how to kayak and help out.

We encourage residents who live around the lakes and ponds not to use fertilizers near the water and to be careful about storm water drainage.

We also promote how important it is not to feed the waterfowl.

We continue to educate the public through newspaper articles, posting educational materials at the local library, and assuring that information about saving the lakes and ponds is broadcast on the Norton Media Center TV station and website. Additionally, we have a Norton Water Bodies Facebook page which helps us stay in touch with paddlers, residents, and committee members. As fellow paddlers we encourage you to become knowledgeable about what aquatic invasive plants may be affecting where you paddle. Get involved and make your contribution.

Click here for more information on aquatic invasive species and prevention techniques.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

This is the first event of its kind for Fredericksburg, Virginia. The festival combines activities from various communities who benefit from, are inspired by, and enjoy their time on the Rappahannock River. There is adventure with a multi-sport river and foot race, outdoor activities for grown-ups, kids, and their furry friends, a display of unique art and crafts, as well as the enjoyment of great craft beer, tasty food, and live music throughout the day. Let's show our beautiful Rappahannock River the love it deserves!

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Written by T.J. Turner, ACA Education & Outreach Coordinator. T.J. holds several ACA instructor certifications in SUP, kayaking, and canoeing. One of his favorite places to paddle is the 13th Block East in Folly Beach, South Carolina.

If you live by the ocean and would like a thorough, fun, and challenging course, I recommend you take a Level 3: Surf SUP Skills Course, Assessment Course, or Instructor Certification Workshop. I had the opportunity to take part in a Level 3: Surf SUP course with Instructor Trainer Educator Josh Hall and Instructor Trainer Matt Hite in the middle of April. The course was well executed, from on-land presentations to in-water, real world applications. Matt’s background, coming from a family of ocean lifeguards, really hammered home the safety aspects of the sport and how to choose the ideal location for your surf class.

All participants in the course were Level 2 Instructors from all over the country, however most were located on the Eastern Seaboard. The sharing of hard and soft skills, and understanding the various challenges each instructor candidate faced with their students and their areas, made for a great learning experience. Folly Beach--with its smaller waves, a predominant SSW swell, and little to no wind--provided the perfect location to run this instructor course.

As most Instructor Trainers will mention, the instructor process is just that, a process and a journey. As hard skills and teaching abilities improve, the ACA instructor cadre improves and remains the gold standard in all paddlesports disciplines.

In the surf environment everything is constantly changing, and there are a lot of moving parts. This environment is so dynamic that it may take a while to understand the full force of what you are leading your students in to. When the aspects of the ocean and the adjoining bottom composition form that perfect wave and you get your student down the face and down the line, this is a triumph of monumental proportions. You are creating a solid link between that individual and the ocean, promoting a lifelong passion for SUP surfing, and furthering the ACA’s mission.

Please help keep the stoke alive as we continue to progress in all disciplines of SUP. As an instructor, being able to emulate the ‘aloha’ mantra to help build a stronger community is fantastic. We all share and use the water differently; to respect your friends in this environment is of the utmost importance.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Mark your calendar. This is one event you won't want to miss. Registration will be available online very soon!The 2015 ACA Swiftwater Rescue Conference will focus on a series of on-water safety and rescue educational sessions taught by the best of the best in swiftwater rescue instruction. In addition, there will be a range of social functions, including BBQ and mountain music on Saturday night. For those simply looking for an Instructor Update, you can accomplish that too, but there will be so much more available in the realm of on-water rescue!Please visit www.americancanoe.org/SWR_Conference for more information.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Along with the local, volunteer organizing committee, the ACA will host the 35th annual Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race (GRWCR) in Fredericksburg, VA on Saturday, June 6, 2015.

This classic Fredericksburg event takes place every year on the first Saturday in June. Races are open to participants of all ages and include both whitewater and flatwater canoeing, kayaking, SUP, and even canoe poling. In addition, there are races for youth and Scouts.

Online registration for the GRWCR is available now, and participants can also register on-site starting at 7:45am on race day at Old Mill Park. Proceeds from this annual race support Friends of the Rappahannock, the ACA Collegiate Racing Program, the Fredericksburg Fire Department’s River Rescue Team, and the Fredericksburg Chapter of Team River Runner.

This year, the GRWCR is part of the inaugural Rock the River FXBG event. This all-day, stewardship-focused festival features environmental educational programs from local conservation organizations, on-water paddling instruction, river clean-ups, a running race, ultimate Frisbee, and a riverfront beer and blues festival.

About Me

The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a member-based 501(c)(3)non profit organization that promotes fun and responsible canoeing, kayaking, rafting and SUP. Founded in 1880, the ACA actively advocates recreational access and stewardship of America’s recreational water trails. For more information and to join, visit www.americancanoe.org.